INITIATION

One of my favorite albums during the 1970s, I remember crushing my ears with playing the side-long 36-minute epic "Treatise on Cosmic Fire" long before I understood its reference (to the writings of Alice Bailey) or significance and then flipping the album to kill some more brain cells with the amazingly creative spectrum of Side One, "Real Man" and "Born to Synthesize" through "Initiation" and "Fair Warning"--some of the most creative, human potential affirming music ever made in celebration of the potential of the human spirit. The all-star line up supporting Todd's manic creativity included Rick Derringer, Moogy Klingman, Ralph Shuckett, Dave Sanborn, Edgar Winter, Bob Rose, Roger Powell, John Seigler, Rick Marotta, and more in amazing ensemble performances thickly recorded and pressed into 67 minutes of two-sides of vinyl. (Todd was fearless in that way.) Also an album that stands up incredibly well over time. Give a listen! You won't be sorry! If only more people could hear the messages herein. "I give you fair warning," "God won't do it, that means that you have to do it," cuz "I'm a real man," "I was born to synthesize." Side 1 1. "Real Man" ? 4:27 (8.5/10)

2. "Born to Synthesize" ? 3:41 (9/10)

3. "The Death of Rock and Roll" ? 3:48 (8/10)

4. "Eastern Intrigue" ? 5:05 (9/10)

5. "Initiation" ? 7:03 (10/10)

6. "Fair Warning" ? 8:08 (9/5/10)

Side 2 "Treatise on Cosmic Fire""A Treatise on Cosmic Fire" (Instrumental) ? 35:22 "Intro - Prana" ? 4:21 - along with it's bookend companion, the "Outro - Prana" these sections make up two of the most powerful, most adrenaline-pumping, Joy-expressing instrumentals I've ever come across. (10/10) "II. The Fire of Mind - or: Solar Fire" ? 3:50 (9/10) "III. The Fire of Spirit - or: Electric Fire" ? 7:33 (8/10) "I. The Internal Fire - or: Fire by Friction" ? 19:38 - a collection of synthesized weirdness that for years was somewhat grating to my ears but now I relish and celebrate (as much for the reason that I understand the spiritual information it was trying to match and convey). (8/10) "Mûlâdhâra: The Dance of Kundalini" "Svâdhishthâna: Bam, Bham, Mam, Yam, Ram, Lam, Thank You, Mahm" "Manipûra: Seat of Fire" "Anâhata: The Halls of Air" "Vishudda: Sounds Beyond Ears" "Ajnâ: Sights Beyond Eyes" "Brahmarandhra: Nirvana Shakri" "Outro - Prana" (4:08) a song I NEVER tire of. I once created a whole 60-minute tape with this and the "Intro - Prana" looped over and over. (10/10)